CME FedWatch Shows Increased Odds for December Fed Rate Cut After Strong September Jobs Data

CME FedWatch Shows Increased Odds for December Fed Rate Cut After Strong September Jobs Data

Latest CME FedWatch readings place the probability of a 25 basis point cut in December at nearly 83%, with diminished odds of no change in rates.

Fact Check
The assessment that the statement is 'likely_true' is based on strong, direct, and consistent evidence from multiple credible sources, with no conflicting information provided.Three separate sources with high relevance directly corroborate the statement. The financial news article from BNP Paribas provides the most explicit and quantitative support, stating that the market-implied probability for a Fed rate cut at the December meeting dropped significantly from 70% to 51% within a week. The CEIC article further reinforces this by citing the CME FedWatch tool and noting a 'growing probability that the Fed would hold rates steady,' which is functionally equivalent to a decreasing probability of a rate cut. Finally, the post from the Chief Investment Strategist at Briefing.com includes a direct screenshot of the CME FedWatch Tool, offering visual confirmation of the probabilities being discussed.This direct evidence is contextually supported by the existence of high-authority primary sources from the Federal Reserve itself, such as a speech by Governor Waller and the minutes from an FOMC meeting. These documents are the primary drivers of market expectations and provide a plausible cause for the shift in probabilities observed in the FedWatch tool. While the specific hawkish or dovish tilt of these documents isn't detailed in the summaries, their release is the type of event that would trigger such a repricing in the market.In summary, the direct evidence from financial analysis and reporting is unanimous and specific, and it aligns with the expected market impact of the provided high-authority Federal Reserve communications. The lack of any contradictory evidence results in a high confidence level in the truthfulness of the statement.
Summary

As of November 27, CME FedWatch data shows an 82.9% chance of a 25 basis point rate cut by the Federal Reserve in December and a 17.1% probability of holding rates steady. This marks a further increase in market expectations for easing, continuing the trend from earlier in the month when odds surged following mixed September jobs data and comments from NY Fed President Williams on potential policy relaxation.

Terms & Concepts
  • basis point: A unit equal to one hundredth of a percentage point, used in finance to describe changes in interest rates or yields.
  • Federal Reserve: The central banking system of the United States, responsible for implementing monetary policy, including setting interest rates.
  • CME FedWatch: A tool provided by the CME Group that calculates the probability of Federal Reserve interest rate changes based on futures market prices.